CHP Officer Fires at Charging Car

A California Highway Patrol officer fired on a motorist who was trying to run him down during a routine traffic stop Friday night, the CHP reported Saturday. The officer was not injured in the incident, a CHP spokeswoman said.

The unidentified officer fired a single shot at the driver's-side window of a dark blue Honda or Acura as it accelerated toward the officer, but the driver sped from the confrontation on the southbound Santa Ana Freeway near Lincoln Avenue, according to the CHP.

It was not clear whether the motorist was hit by the officer's shot, said CHP spokeswoman Joan Rivas.

The CHP is requesting the public's help in locating the driver of the car. The CHP can be reached at (714) 567-7187.

The incident began at 8:47 p.m. Friday when the officer simultaneously stopped the blue car and another vehicle for speeding. The blue car stopped about 100 feet behind the CHP vehicle and ignored repeated demands by the officer to drive forward.

As the officer approached the blue vehicle, the driver accelerated in an attempt to run him over, according to a CHP spokesman. The CHP officer jumped out of the way and then fired at the vehicle, which sped off, officials said.